This thread is one of the main reasons I now keep my SPOT on me instead of in my rear bag. I had to use it a couple of weeks ago - all I had to do was reach up to my shoulder and push the button. This lesson was really emphasized as I lay listening to my cell phone ringing - from the bike bag I couldn't get to.

Laughter has many flavors. Recognition - that could be me. Empathy - similar happened to me. Survival - it didn't kill you, or me. Defiance - it won't happen, or stop me. Stress - this is so serious I have to laugh. I think there's a lot of nervous laughing, very little mocking laughter about something like this. When someone belittles or mocks, it tells about them, not what they laugh about.

Quote:

Originally Posted by joefromsf

I don't think people are laughing at the crash, I think they're laughing at the stuff I say after I get up; which even I think is amusing even if I don't recall saying it. They may even have already read more of the thread and know that I am fine, and that frees them to have less serious thoughts on subsequent viewings.

Anyway, I have felt that the posts on ADVrider (at least in this thread) have been very respectful. I have even been pleasantly surprised by the support and civility of the comments on YouTube.

So glad you are ok! I want to add a few comments about SPOT and the lack of a helicopter.

First; SPOT works, but it has also been grossly abused by many not understanding or not caring what happens when the panic button is pressed. True story, SPOT was activated because the individual was going to be late for a meeting well he made the meeting with the sheriff! Also there are far more False activations than true emergencies so there is a "little boy cried wolf" with some SAR agencies.

This crash definitely warrants a helicopter ride. Although you're probably looking at 10-15k yes your life and limbs are worth that. You don't need first responders on scene or a "safe LZ" as some said, if you're flying air-medical, you have landed a helicopter before and don't need someone on the ground telling you when your skids touch down. But that also depends on the relationship between the local fire/ems and the sheriff. That said not all air-medical groups are the same. But it is safe to say that if you are flying in Southern UT than you do remote back country scene work.

Joe, I just found this thread after reading a recent post of yours and ER70S' in the DR650 thread. Man, am I glad you're alright! I watched the crash portion twice, but I couldn't bring myself to do it a third time (gotta keep positive thoughts in my head).

I sincerely thank you for posting this. It's made me think, "what if?" Some folks brought up good points about keeping the controls covered, but my natural reaction at a low speed, falling to a side, is always to steer into it and gas it to stand the bike back up (think about motorcycle cops when they're navigating tight turns). I now realize, in tight terrain (and where the world decides to fall away 12+ feet), is to just drop the bike! Easier said than done, I know, because all too often our motorcycle brain wants us to stay upright. But, if it happens, I think I'm better prepared thanks to your experience.

Although I hope I'll never have to use it, it's also good to know the SPOT's 911 button works as advertised.

On the DR650, once the tail end gains momentum in any direction other than the one intended, you're finished, the bike is going down. Too much weight and too much torque on those things to the point where the tire looses traction very easily.. not a good weight:torque ratio, especially for the type of terrain you were riding.

Joe.....It doesn't matter how long you have ridden, or how "good" you are, when you ride in terrain like the western TAT there is great potential for a fall, we can look back and say ( cover the clutch) ( cover the breaks) ( slow down) ( you need more experience ), but when it's all said and done if you ride much off road you will fall sometime.

it was just a bad place to fall in this case.

I have ridden dual sport for 35 years and I have taken some falls in a simple loose rock or slick rock section......it happens.

just glad you didn't do any damage that would keep you from doing what you love to do.

First off...glad you were not seriously injured and have shared your experience. SPOT purchase in my future.

Edited...remind me not to try and theorize...I fail!

I found this looking thru the new posts today...only recently joined the ADVr forum. An observation I noted while watching the video and subsequent theory...take it with a grain of salt. And something I've experienced, and been fortunate to have some not-so unforgiving terrain to recover in.

It appears to me you were rodeo'd forward (probably not off the peg/s) onto your tankbag at 5:07. The front wheel came back down after hitting the first step and cased into the next one. Watching your video up to that point there were only a couple occasions where we got a view of the front fender (sat down or looked down), and not so much of it. Feet or just the right foot came of the pegs...note shadow of the fender not right foot in image below (yes that is the fender...how the hell could a foot cast a shadow in the opposite direction of the sun). For the next couple of seconds you were along for the ride and didn't have enough runoff to fully regain control. You were trying to...just shit-luck it happened where it did.

It appears to me you were rodeo'd forward off the peg/s onto your tankbag at 5:07. The front wheel came back down after hitting the first step and cased into the next one. Watching your video up to that point there were only a couple occasions where we got a view of the front fender (sat down or looked down), and not so much of it. Feet or just the right foot came of the pegs...note shadow of left foot in image below. For the next couple of seconds you were along for the ride and didn't have enough runoff to fully regain control. You were trying to...just shit-luck it happened where it did.